Use of Performance Status Score for Cytotoxic Chemotherapy among Surgeons in a Tertiary Hospital, Southern Nigeria

Introduction: Performance score evaluation is a tool for assessment of patients prior to cytotoxic chemotherapy administration. It has also been used to modify and personalize the dosage, route and types of the various chemotherapeutic agents.

Aim: The present study was aimed at evaluating the use of performance status as assessment tool for patients on cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Study Design: This study is a questionnaire survey involving all doctors in the Department of Surgery of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. The returned questionnaires were individually inspected for clarity of responses and collated. The data was entered into excel sheets. Forms which were incomplete, poorly filled or not returned were not included in the study. All the data entered into the spreadsheets were analysed using the SPSS 20 package.

Results: A total of 64 (70%) doctors where enlisted in the study. Though 73.4% had knowledge about the use of performance status in the assessment of oncology patients, only 62.1% could name any type of performance status. Most respondents agreed that they would reduce the chemotherapeutic dosage in response to a poor PS score. Routine use of PS should be emphasized as it enhances patients’ care, brings measurable objective assessment to bear on the process of both palliative and potential curative measures.

This study focused on the practice amongst doctors, however PS may be routinely measured by nurses both in the clinic or wards when these patients present.

Conclusion: The awareness of performance status score is high however its uptake in clinical practice was low requiring further development and adherence to established protocols.